For a community like Agzu, where there is neither the conventional telephone service, nor ground station-based mobile phones capable of accessing the Internet, the only commercially available worldwide communication service is the Inmarsat phone which you have already purchased and signed up the service contract.

Therefore, in your case, I recommend that you use the Inmarsat (1) as a voice telephone to talk to people when really necessary and the nature of the call justifies the cost, and also (2) as the means to access the Inernet home pages, again, when it is really necessary and it justifies the cost. BUT, DO NOT USE IT FOR SENDING AND RECEIVING E-MAILS because there is a much cheaper way of satellite e-mail communication.

The Okamoto International Affairs Research Institute is now capable of providing a low-cost e-mail communication service to any remote communities anywhere in the world. Once a compact ground station is in place, it will enable you to communicate at a cost far below the Inmarsat phone charge with anyone who has his/her e-mail address on the Internet.

Thus, the combination of these two systems will be the most cost-saving arrangement, and enables you to remain in daily e-mail communication with the outside world without worrying about the telephone bills. For more information, access OUR WEB PAGE or contact us directly by e-mail or phone.

The Virtual Foundation Japan Tokyo, Japan